On top of a hill in Shelton, a home is on the verge of collapse, threatening condos on the street below.
The plan was to knock down the North Oak Road home overnight, but still it stands as local officials work out the details on how to proceed. The other big question is who is responsible for the costs of tearing it down.
A mudslide caused the threat on Tuesday afternoon, as the retaining wall behind the house gave way and sent about 20 feet of earth sliding down the nearly 100-foot cliff.
As a precaution, authorities evacuated four units in the nearby condo complex, Riverview Condo complex, as well as the house next door until crews can make sure it’s safe for them to go home.
Crews shut off both the power and the gas to the vacant house.
The next issue is to determine who is responsible for the house and who pays to fix it or take it down.
The home has been vacant for a while. Shelton city attorney, Tom Welch, said on Thursday morning that the homeowners live in Hamden and the bank holds the lien on the property, which is in the process of foreclosure. He has been in touch with their attorney.
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Whoever pays, Welch said, it isn't up to the city of Shelton whether it's an effort to short up the house...or tear it down.
For now, at least four condiminiums that sit at the foot of the hill remain evacuated.
At the top of the hill, neighbors have their own idea of how this needs to be handled.
